After a year of less than ideal play, the New Orleans Saints’ special teams unit continued an up and down performance in the preseason opener, leaving the second matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with questions left to be answered.
On the positive side, a well-executed kick return plan led the way to an 86-yard return by running back Ty Chandler to start the game.
The tone that fast start set permeated through the rest of the team with a one-play touchdown drive on offense and an interception on the first defensive possession to follow.
However, a missed 52-yard field goal and a shaken punt that went for 15 yards left many Saints fans to remember the struggles of 2025.
All-told, punter Ryan Wright’s day was otherwise steady. His remaining punts went for 55, 52, 46 and 45 yards. Though the 46-yarder was from the Saints’ own 19, so they likely wanted more out of that one.
In addition to the 52-yard miss from kicker Charlie Smyth, competing kicker Tanner Brown made attempts from 29 yards and 49 yards out, meaning the up and down day for the team was indeed a good day for Brown. Smyth will have his opportunities to bounce back on Saturday.
Punt coverage was mostly positive minus one missed tackle by rookie safety Lorenzo Styles Jr., who was looking to calibrate his 4.27-second 40-yard dash time to make the play.
Otherwise, the coverage units allowed just 4.5 yards per punt return and just 25 yards per kick return with an average starting field position of just the 29-yard line.
The up and down performance could provide a sense of optimism. However, this early on, it provides more curiosity to a major improvement the Saints are hoping to achieve in 2026.
